The proposed ARC plan does not allow aquaculture anywhere on the entire Auckland coastline.

“Getting the location for aquaculture right is very important. But a blunt ban on aquaculture anywhere is unjustified,” Mr Anderton says.

“Those of us who have spent many enjoyable years on the Auckland coast, in places like the Firth of Thames, know that there are opportunities for well managed aquaculture development.

“I recognise popular sailing areas in the Hauraki Gulf or right in front of suburban housing are not appropriate places for aquaculture development. At the same time it is simply not true that there is nowhere along the Auckland region’s coastline where appropriate aquaculture development could be placed.

“Aquaculture businesses in Auckland can provide jobs and earn export dollars for New Zealand.

“I hope Auckland will enter the ARC’s consultation process with a view to considering the benefits that well-located aquaculture could bring.

“Global demand for seafood is rising very quickly, and if we are not going to empty out our oceans, rising demand needs to be met from clean and sustainable aquaculture. New Zealand can be a global leader.

“Some of the most promising aquaculture businesses in New Zealand are Maori owned. The ARC’s proposed ban could shut out an industry with potential to provide significant investment.”

www.fishupdate.com is published by Special Publications. Special Publications also publish FISHupdate magazine, Fish Farmer, the Fish Industry Yearbook, the Scottish Seafood Processors Federation Diary, the Fish Farmer Handbook and a range of wallplanners.

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend